New Economy Workforce Grant Program
New Economy Workforce Grant Program supports students through noncredit workforce training that leads to industry certification or state licensure, expanding low-cost access to credentials in high-demand fields.
Funder: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
Due Dates: First-come, first-served (funding awards)
Funding Amounts: Up to $4,000 per student to an institution for training completion and credential attainment
Summary: Performance-based funding supports noncredit workforce training leading to credentials in Virginia’s high-demand fields.
Key Information: Students must meet Virginia domicile requirements and pay one-third of program costs upon enrollment.
Description
The New Economy Workforce Grant Program, administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), supports noncredit workforce training leading to an industry-based certification or state licensure in a high-demand field. Established by the General Assembly through HB 66 in 2016, the program is designed to give students low-cost access to workforce credentials.
Funding follows a pay-for-performance model: participating institutions receive separate payments when students complete training and subsequently attain the workforce credential. Training programs should align with high-demand fields established by the Virginia Board for Workforce Development. Eligible providers include community colleges, higher education centers, Richard Bland College, and New College Institute.
